College Information for JUNIORS: Complete checklist, make a plan, get it signed by Ms. Brown, get extra credit due by November 30

Juniors: You are next! In less than a year, you will be applying to college. So now — as you approach the midpoint of junior year — it’s time to take college planning to the next level. Juniors, here is your college admissions checklist for November: Step Up Your Academic Performance Junior-year grades are often the most important academic work that colleges consider when reviewing applications. Now is the time to focus on course work, redouble efforts and do your absolute best in your classes. Prepare early for fall semester or trimester exams. Discuss strategies for improvement with teachers. It is never too late to step up your performance. When evaluating college options next year, you will be grateful that you did the hard work now. Make a Personalized Testing Plan Now is the time to determine your own standardized testing plan. Begin by taking sample ACT and SAT tests to determine which test is better for you. Sample tests are available from the ACT and College Board Web sites. Take at least one official ACT or SAT test before the end of junior year. You should also consider taking SAT Subject Tests. Consult with your teachers to determine which of these subject tests, if any, are appropriate for you. Remember that everyone has a personalized testing plan. What may be right for your best friend may not be right for you. Keep Perspective on Test Prep As with anything, practice improves performance, so some test prep can help to boost scores and confidence. But don’t overdo it! Remember the importance of the transcript. Excessive test prep time may be better spent on improving performance in courses or on other rewarding activities, like conducting research, earning a black belt, holding a job, learning a language, doing service or writing a novel. Have a clear sense of what your goals are for test prep and be a savvy consumer of the many test prep services available. Get Involved and Be a Leader Continue to do activities that are important to you. Spending time doing things you love will feed your soul — and build your résumé. Consider positioning yourself for leadership roles. Draft a Résumé A résumé should list all your activities, honors, work, summer programs and hobbies. Give a copy to your teachers and guidance counselor to help them get to know you. Keep it handy for college interviews. Submit it with internship and job applications. Update your résumé regularly and refer to it next fall when completing college applications. Begin to Research Colleges Research is the key to finding the colleges that are the best match for you. Consider majors, facilities, size, selectivity, location, cost, activities, advising, housing and other aspects of interest. While college Web sites, online resources, guidebooks and brochures are great resources, the best way to learn about colleges is to visit their campuses. Take official tours and attend admission presentations. Many colleges may host informational programs in your area. Check college Web sites for details about programs for prospective students. Maintain Positive Relationships While you are the one in charge of applying to college, you will need help from other important people in your life, including teachers, administrators, advisers and coaches. Now is the time to evaluate and perhaps improve the quality of your relationships. You will most likely need to ask one or two teachers for a recommendation as part of your application. Do you work productively with your teachers? Are you an attentive and courteous classmate? Are you a good school citizen? It is never too late to improve your relationships. Know Your Guidance Counselor Schedule a meeting for sometime this winter with your high school guidance counselor. Prepare for the meeting by thinking about your goals for college and listing any questions. Ask about how the application process works at your school. Review your transcript and résumé with your counselor and ask if there is anything else he or she needs. Your guidance counselor can be one of your best allies in the process. Don’t Get Caught Up in the Hype You are a unique individual, so reflect and focus on what is best for you. Try to look beyond information like rankings and opinionated hearsay that can distract more than help. As many wise admission professionals suggest, “It’s not where you go, it’s what you do when you get there.” You can get a great education anywhere. Planning ahead, staying on track and remaining true to what is right for you will lead to great college options.